JP7147006B2 - Growing system and method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to growing systems and methods. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to illumination for mechanized plant growth systems.

This application claims priority from UK patent application GB1615751.3 filed on 15 September 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In addition, the subject matter of British Patent Application Nos. GB1606678.9, GB1606684.7 and GB1606679.7 is hereby incorporated by reference.

Conventional systems and methods for growing certain crops are well known. Many require large areas of land and need to be well positioned for the required conditions for the crops to be grown.

More recently, advanced agricultural techniques such as hydroponics have led to the ability to grow high quality crops indoors with very high utilization of light, water and fertilizer. However, these systems are not very efficient with respect to land use, capital and labor. The present invention describes how to dramatically improve these efficiencies.

Some commercial and industrial activities require systems that allow storage and retrieval of a vast number of different products. One known type of system for storing and retrieving items in multiple product lines involves placing storage containers in stacks on top of each other, these stacks being arranged in rows. Storage containers are accessed from above, eliminating the need for aisles between rows and allowing more containers to be stored in a given space.

Methods of handling containers stacked in rows have been known for many years. Some such systems, such as those described in Bertel U.S. Pat. No. 2,701,065, reduce the storage volume associated with storage of such containers but still store specific containers as needed. A free-standing container stack configured in a row to provide access to the Access to a given container is enabled by stacking a given container and providing a relatively complex hoisting mechanism that can be used to retrieve a given container from the stack. However, the cost of such systems is not practical in many situations and is primarily commercialized for storage and handling of large shipping containers.

The concept of using self-supporting container stacks and providing a mechanism for retrieving and storing specific containers has been further developed, for example as described in Cimcorp's EP 0767113B. '113 uses a robotic loading handler in the form of a rectangular tube that is lowered around the container stack and configured to be able to grip containers at any level of the stack. Disclose a mechanism for retrieving the In this way several containers can be lifted from the stack all at once. Movable tubes can be used to move some containers from the top of one stack to the top of another stack, or to move containers from a stack to an external position and vice versa. Such a system may be particularly useful when all containers in a single stack (known as a single product stack) contain the same product.

In the system described in '113, the height of the tube must be at least as high as the height of the largest stack of containers so that the tallest stack of containers can be extracted in a single motion. Therefore, when used in enclosed spaces such as warehouses, the maximum height of the stack is limited by the need to accommodate the tubes of the load handler.

EP 1 037 828 B1 (Autostore), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, describes a system in which a stack of containers is organized in a frame structure. A system of this type is shown schematically in Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings. A robotic load handling device is controllably movable around the stack on a track system on the top surface of the stack.

Other forms of robotic load handling equipment are further described, for example, in Norwegian Patent No. 317366, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 3(a) is a schematic perspective view of the load handling device used in the present invention, and FIGS. 3 (b) and 3(c) are cut away to show the interior of the load handling device. It is a schematic front perspective view.

A further development of a load handling device is described in UK Patent Application No. 1314313.6 (Ocado). Here each robotic loading handler covers only one grid space, thus allowing a higher density of loading handlers and thus a higher throughput for a given size system.

In such known storage systems a large number of containers are tightly stacked.
Containers have traditionally been used to store items for serving online grocery orders that are picked by robots.

Such systems may be used to grow plants, and indeed other organisms. Such a system is described in UK Patent Application No. GB1606678.9 (Ocado Innovation Limited).

The system therein discloses a storage-type vertical farming system that may be used to grow plants in individual containers, the large number of containers required using conventional growing techniques. making it possible to mass-produce such crops on smaller areas of land than the land on which they grow.

The above-referenced application also discloses the ability to provide services to containers, either individually or through the framework of the system. Depending on the services provided in the individual containers, the contents may be monitored with data relating to the contents of the containers relayed to the central processing system. The data transmitted may provide information about the condition of the container, the contents of the container, or may provide information about neighboring containers to the condition monitoring global storage system. Further, in such a manner the container may be illuminated, heated or cooled as required by the particular contents of the container.

Further, the present application discloses individual containers within a storage system in which services are provided in addition to goods. Further, individual containers within a storage system may not contain goods, but may contain services for supplying other containers or for monitoring the status of the system.

In order to use such a system for efficiently growing crops or other organisms, it may be necessary that the crops or other organisms within the container be illuminated via illumination of the appropriate wavelength. .

In known vertical farming systems, the crops grown are typically grown on large trays with large lighting arrays mounted thereon. In the high density systems described above, the presence of crops in a series of stacked containers precludes the use of such wide area lighting solutions.

In systems utilizing vertically stacked containers, it is very beneficial to be able to mount lights adjacent to the containers and illuminate them internally. The challenge is to achieve uniform light distribution. By utilizing the walls of the growth container and the bottom surface of the container described above, it is possible to achieve a reasonable uniformity of light that allows a consistent emission of light to the plants growing inside the container. A cover, cap or lid with lighting means may be provided on top of the container to reflect light onto the crop placed by the robot.

In accordance with the present invention, a growing system is provided, the growing system comprising a first set of substantially parallel rails or tracks and substantially horizontal surfaces to form a grid pattern comprising a plurality of grid spaces. a second set of substantially parallel rails or tracks extending laterally to the first set at and positioned below the lattice space and within a series of uprights forming a framework a plurality of storage containers configured in a stack and at least one load handling device disposed on a track and configured to move laterally on the stack, the or each load handling device comprising: The apparatus comprises a lifting device configured to lift at least one container or a portion thereof from a stack, the system comprising a series of lighting means, the lighting means directing light emitted by the lighting means to the container. Positionable from a first location adjacent the container in the stack to a second location above the container so as to be evenly distributed over the growing volume.

Further provided in accordance with the present invention is a growing system, the growing system substantially configured to form a grid pattern comprising a first set of substantially parallel rails or tracks and a plurality of grid spaces. A second set of substantially parallel rails or tracks extending laterally to the first set in the horizontal plane and positioned below the lattice space and within a series of uprights forming a framework and at least one load handling device arranged on a track and configured to move laterally on the stack 12, the or each load The load handling device comprises a lifting device configured to lift at least one container, or a portion thereof, from a stack, each container comprising a plastic portion, the plastic portion being evenly distributed across the container, and It comprises a translucent material for passing light incident thereon into the growing volume therein.

According to the present invention there is further provided a method of growing an organism within a growing system according to any one of claims 1 to 22, the method providing means for growing within a storage container 110. positioning the container 110 within the storage system; providing the required light, water, and nutrients; and at least one robotic loading handler operable on a grid system above the container 110. and moving the container 110 using the apparatus 30, the light being directed from a first position adjacent to the side of the container 110 to a second position on the container 110 via lighting means. provided.

Thus, the present invention overcomes the problems of prior art lighting systems in stack system vertical farms, ensures uniform light distribution in stacked container systems, increases crop yields, and reduces lighting costs. A solution is provided that ensures increased efficiency and crop production that is unaffected by the direction of lighting.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrams.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a frame structure for housing a stack of multiple containers within a storage system; FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of part of the frame structure of FIG. 1; FIG. 3(a) is a schematic perspective view of one form of robotic load handling apparatus for use with the framework of FIGS. 1 and 2; FIG. Figure 3(b) is a schematic perspective view, cut away to show the interior of the robotic load handling device. FIG. 3(c) is a schematic perspective view cut away to show the interior of the robotic load handling device . Figure 4 is shown in Figures 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c) mounted on the frame structure of Figures 1 and 2 along with a robotic service device according to one aspect of the present invention. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a known storage system comprising a plurality of load handling devices of the type; FIG. Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of one form of growing system comprising a series of stacked containers positioned within a framework, the individual containers being stacked by a loading handler (not shown). The system further comprises robotic picking means for picking plants grown in containers stored in the growing system. Figure 6a is a schematic perspective view of one form of container for use in the growing system of Figure 5, the container being provided with lighting means. Figure 6b is a schematic perspective view of one form of container for use in the growing system of Figure 5, the container being provided with lighting means. Figure 6c is a schematic perspective view of one form of container for use in the growing system of Figure 5, the container being provided with lighting means. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the system of FIG. 5 showing a framework upright of the storage system, the upright carrying a plurality of sliding panels movably mounted on the upright; , the panels are moveable from a first inoperable position within the framework to a second operable position, wherein the panels are positioned within respective containers when in the second position. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the system of FIG. 5 showing uprights of the framework of the storage system in which the containers are stacked within the uprights, the panels of FIG. in position. Figure 9 is a schematic perspective close-up view of one form of a mechanism for moving a panel from a first position within the upright to a second position within the container, the mechanism comprising a worm gear mechanism; Figure 10 is a schematic front view of a further aspect of the invention showing lighting means capable of achieving uniform light distribution over each container in a stack in the system;

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, stackable containers known as containers 10 are stacked on top of each other to form stacks 12 . Stack 12 is configured within a framework structure 14 in a warehouse or manufacturing environment. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a frame structure 14 and FIG. 2 is a top down view showing a single stack 12 of containers 10 configured on the frame structure 14. FIG. Each container 10 typically holds multiple product items (not shown), and the product items within the container 10 may be the same or of different product types depending on the application. might exist.

Framework structure 14 includes a plurality of vertical members 16 supporting horizontal members 18,20. A first set of parallel horizontal members 18 are arranged perpendicular to a second set of parallel horizontal members 20 to form a plurality of horizontal grid structures supported by vertical members 16 . Members 16, 18, 20 are typically manufactured from metal. As the containers 10 are stacked between the members 16, 18, 20 of the frame structure 14, the frame structure 14 guards against horizontal movement of the stack 12 of containers 10 and guides vertical movement of the containers 10. do.

The top level of frame structure 14 includes rails 22 made up of a grid pattern 22 that spans the top of stack 12 . 3 and 4, the rails 22 support a plurality of robotic load handling devices 30. As shown in FIG. A first set 22a of parallel rails 22 guide movement of the load handling device 30 in a first direction (X) over the top of the framework 14 and are configured perpendicular to the first set 22a. A second set 22b of parallel rails 22 guide movement of the load handling device 30 in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction. In this manner, the rails 22 provide movement of the load handling device 30 in two dimensions within the XY plane such that the load handling device 30 can be moved to any position above the stack 12 . to enable.

Each load handling device 30 comprises a vehicle 32 configured to move in the X and Y directions on rails 22 of framework 14 above stack 12 . A first set of wheels 34 comprising a pair of wheels 34 at the front of vehicle 32 and a pair of wheels 34 at the rear of vehicle 32 engage two adjacent rails of first set 22a of rails 22. configured to Similarly, a second set of wheels 36 consisting of a pair of wheels 36 on each side of vehicle 32 are configured to engage two adjacent rails of second set 22b of rails 22 . Each set of wheels 34, 36 is raised such that either the first set of wheels 34 or the second set of wheels 36 is engaged with the respective set of rails 22a, 22b at any one time. can be lowered.

With the first set of wheels 34 engaged with the first set of rails 22a and the second set of wheels 36 lifted off the rails 22, the wheels 34 were stowed within the vehicle 32 (see FIG. A drive mechanism (not shown) can drive the load handling device 30 to move in the X direction. To move the load handling device 30 in the Y direction, the first set of wheels 34 are lifted off the rails 22 and the second set of wheels 36 are engaged with the second set of rails 22a. lowered to fit. A drive mechanism is then used to drive the second set of wheels 36 to achieve movement in the Y direction.

In this manner, one or more robotic load handling devices 30 move around the top surface of stack 12 on frame structure 14 under the control of a central picking system (not shown). can be done. Each robotic load handling device 30 is provided with means to lift one or more containers from the stack in order to access the required product. In this manner, multiple products can be accessed from multiple locations in the grid and stack at any one time.

FIG. 4 shows a typical storage system as described above, the system having multiple load handling devices 30 operating on the stack 12 .

Figures 1 and 4 show containers 10 in stacks 12 within a storage system. It will be appreciated that there may be multiple containers in any given storage system.

Figure 5 shows a growing system based on the prior art storage system depicted in Figures 1-4. In the growing system, growing container 110 is suitably adapted for growing plants or other organisms. For example, each growing container 110 may contain a growing medium.

FIG. 5 shows a portion of the growing system described above. For clarity, only a portion of the framework structure is shown along with the reference numbers of containers 110 shown in stack 12 within framework 14 . A portion of the container 110 positioned within the system comprises growing means only ready for use. Some of the containers 110 in the system have plants that have grown too large for the spacing regime in which they were originally planted.

A robotic picking device 100 may be provided to fully automate this task. However, it will be appreciated that the tasks may be performed manually by personnel at the growing system service area.

Each growing container 110 may comprise a container 10 as shown in FIGS. 1-5 or, alternatively, a support frame disposed thereon to allow the growing containers 110 to be stacked. It may also have a base such as a tray with workpieces. Such a growing container 110 allows access to the growing canopy of plants through the sides of the container structure. When containers are stacked, it is the corner uprights of the containers that carry the load of any container stacked on any given container. Therefore, the container does not need to be fixed or have rigid sides. It will be appreciated that the growing container 110 may have sides or partial sides to prevent crops from growing out of the volume of the growing container 110 .

Figures 6a, 6b and 6c show one form of growth container 110 adapted for growing plants. Plants grow on a growing medium 13 such as a mat or soil positioned in container 110 . Underneath the mat 13, the container may comprise a reservoir 54 (not shown), which may contain water and/or fertilizer suitable for the plants growing in the container.

Containers 110 are held in the stack by co-operating surfaces on adjacent containers 110 . The container 110 further comprises connection means 40 positioned on the intended cooperating surfaces of the container 110 . The connecting means 40 may comprise a conductive layer disposed on cooperating surfaces of the containers 10, or may be spring loaded contacts or contacts to pass power between two or more containers 10. Any other possible means of connection may be provided. Additionally, connection means 40 may comprise carbon-loaded rubber contacts capable of transmitting signals between two or more cooperating containers 10 in a stack.

The connecting means 40 shown comprises a releasable latch connector through which electrical power, fluids (such as water and fertilizer), and other services or utilities required in the plant growth system can be passed.

Individual containers 110 may comprise power means, for example for powering heating means, cooling means, data logging means, communication means and/or lighting means 60 . Each individual container 110 controls power to the or each service and, if power is sent to neighboring containers 10 in the stack 12, to other containers 10 in the stack 12. A power control means may be further provided for doing so. It will be appreciated that the container 10 with power control and control means is not limited to powering heaters, coolers or lights. Anything that requires power may utilize the power supply means. The power supply means may comprise a battery or may comprise means for transmitting power from an external power source through the connection means 40 on the container 10 or via the uprights 16 of the framework structure. . Contactless methods of power transmission may also be used, for example magnetic or RF induction, and optical methods.

Figure 6 shows in detail a container 10 suitable for means of growing plants. The container 10 comprises lighting means 60 capable of emitting light of a predetermined wavelength suitable for growing the desired crop. Furthermore, the container 110 comprises a fluid supply means 52 which, when activated, can sprinkle a predetermined amount of water on the crops growing in the container 110 . Power to the lighting means 60 and fluid supply to the spreading means 52 are routed through the container 10 via routing means 17 running along one side of the container 10 . When the container 10 is positioned in a growing system, the container 10 is further provided with connection means 40 that allow services to be routed up the stack 12 of the container 10 .

In FIG. 6 the routing means are shown mounted on the container 10, but it is possible to form the container 10 such that it comprises a molding suitable to act as the routing means 17. It will be understood that

6a to 6c show further configurations of containers 110 from the stack 12, which containers 10 are provided with various configurations of lighting means 60. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the lighting means 60 may comprise a lid containing suitable bulbs, LEDs or some other suitable form of lighting 60. FIG. The lid may be removably attached to the container 10 and may be collapsed during removal of the container 10 from the stack 12 .

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6c, lighting means 60 may be provided at the base of the containers 110 to illuminate the bottom of the containers 110 in the stack 12 .

FIG. 7 shows an alternative form of illumination arrangement according to the invention. FIG. 7 shows part of the growing system with the uprights of framework 14 . A stack 12 of growth containers 110 is positioned within framework 14 . The growing container 110 is of the type comprising a tray-like base and a box-type support framework mounted thereon to provide support for the growing container 110 in the stack 12 .

The box-type framework of the growing container 110 may comprise another structure fixedly mounted on the tray, or it may comprise a structure integrally formed with the tray-like base. It will be appreciated that

The growing container 110 further comprises guides 114' positioned along two short sides of the growing container 110 on top of the box-type support structure. The uprights of the growing system framework 14 are further provided with guides 114 that run substantially parallel to the uprights. The guide 114 of the upright and the guide 114' of the growing container 110 are positioned such that the two guides 114, 114' are aligned when the growing container 110 is positioned within the stack 12 within the framework 14. . The two guides 114, 114' are joined by a radius of the guide formed or mounted on the guide 114 on the upright.

A plurality of panel members 113 are positioned within the guides 114, 114' and are movable along the guides 114 on the uprights and to the guides 114' within the container 110. The panel members 113 are provided with illumination means 60 capable of emitting light of suitable wavelengths to the crops or plants in the growing container 110 .

Figure 7 shows a panel member 113 with lighting means 60 positioned in guides 114 on uprights. The panel member 113 in FIG. 7 is positioned in a first position in which each face of the panel member 113 comprising lighting means 60 is substantially parallel to the long side of the growth container 110 . The lighting means 60 may be inoperable when in this position. Alternatively, if the lighting means 60 is operable in this position, the growing container 110 may be illuminated from the side, in cases where the growing container 110 does not have fixed or opaque sides.

The uprights are further provided with a drive mechanism 115 such as, by way of example only, a worm gear mechanism. The worm gear mechanism comprises a threaded rod 116 mounted on the uprights and engaging means 117 for engaging the panel members when positioned in the guides 114 on the uprights. Engagement means 117 actuate the worm gear to move panel 113 with lighting means 60 from a first position within guide 114 , substantially parallel to the uprights, to a second position within container 110 . The panel means 113 moved through and provided with the lighting means 60 are substantially perpendicular to the uprights of the framework 14 . Mechanism 115 is shown in even more detail in FIG.

In use, the panel member 113 containing the lighting means 60 is moved from the position shown in Figure 7 to the position shown in Figure 8 by driving the worm gear mechanism. Mechanism 115 engages ribbon means (not shown) positioned in guides 114, 114' to which panel 113 is mounted, and rotates radially and into growth container 110. It functions to move the panel up in the lead 114 on the upright along the lead 114' where it is located. As shown in FIG. 8, when panel member 113 is positioned in guide 114' within growth container 110, the emitting surface of lighting means 60 is positioned toward growth volume 112 of container 110. As shown in FIG. In this second position the lighting means 60 are activated and function to illuminate the plants or crops contained within the container volume in a uniform manner.

Mechanism 115 may be operable in response to a signal received from a load handling device positioning itself (not shown) above a given stack 12 of growing containers 110 . Alternatively, the mechanism may be driven by the load handling device 30 via suitable positioning and drive means 118 positioned on top of the uprights. Further, it will be appreciated that mechanism 115 may be operable under remote control from a control center (not shown).

In this manner, the growing container 110 may be illuminated from above to promote even distribution of light and allow crops and plants to grow in a substantially vertical fashion. eliminates the problem of growing crops and plants unevenly or at angles to uprights caused by the direction of lighting. Furthermore, the lighting means 60 can be deployed when needed and returned to a storage position within the guide 114 on the upright when not needed. More specifically, the lights may be returned to this storage position when the grow container 110 is removed from the stack by a load handling device 30 operating on a track positioned on the framework 14 .

Although the above examples and drawings are described with the panel members 113 and lighting means 60 positioned adjacent the long edge of the container 110 , the system can be used to position the lighting means 60 along the short edge of the container 110 . It will be appreciated that it would also work in a similar manner to In fact, the system would work if the container 110 had a square cross-section and the panel members and lighting means were positioned on either edge.

It will be further appreciated that the lighting means 60 need not comprise separate lighting means on a series of panels 113, but may comprise a single lighting means on a flexible plate-type structure.

As shown in Figure 10, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a growing container 110 comprises a tray like base having a box-type support structure mounted thereon. A box-type structure together with a tray-like base defines a growing volume 122 that forms a plant canopy. Each growing container 110 comprises a cap or lid structure 120 comprising a plastic material that allows for internal reflection or refraction of light therein. For example, cap or lid structure 120 may comprise PMMA, polycarbonate or polystyrene or some other suitable material. A lid or cap 120 structure may be positioned on top of each growth container, or alternatively may form the base of each growth container 110, thus illuminating the growth container 110 below. It is possible. It will be appreciated that the lid or cap structure 120 is independently removable from the top of the container 110 by the load handling device 30, particularly in instances where the base of the container 110 comprises the lighting means 60. . In this example, the top container 110 would require individual lids 120 to perform the lighting function.

The lid 120 may be independently removable from the top container 110 by the first load handling device 30 and the second load to lift the top growing container 110 from the stack. It will be appreciated that the handling device 30 is used substantially. However, each load handling device 30 may be provided with lifting means suitable for first lifting the lid 120, thereby disconnecting the lid and the light array from any power supply, the lifting means substantially Specifically, the growing container 110 is lifted. Furthermore, the individual load handling device 30 may, in situ, be provided with lifting means suitable for lifting the container 110 along with the lid 120; If so, it will be appreciated that means may be provided for powering the lighting array in the lid 120 to maintain continuous illumination.

Although the example shown in FIG. 10 shows a rectangular cross-section superstructure 120, a shaped structure can improve reflective properties, causing the structure to reflect more light and less light. It will be appreciated that it can be scattered. Advantageously, provision of the transparent cap/lid/base 120 structure is either visually by the operator or via a camera on the load handling equipment or within the growing system. Allows inspection of the contents of the growth volume 122 .

It will be appreciated that cap/lid/base structure 120 may be provided with a mirror surface (not shown) such that all radiation incident thereon is reflected toward growth volume 122 .

A lighting means 60, such as an LED, emitting light of a predetermined wavelength or multiple predetermined wavelengths such that the radiation is incident on the plastic cap/lid/base structure 120 and illuminates the edges of the material. Mounted to one side of the lid or base structure, light is refracted, reflected and emitted in a uniform manner through the plant or crop growth canopy.

In this way, a uniform lighting distribution is achieved while maintaining a fixed lighting position on the side of the growth container 110 .

In combination with the lighting mechanism described above, each container 110 may further comprise other services, such as data logging means and communication means for transmitting recorded data to a remote central data logging device. may The data logging means comprise sensors suitable for monitoring conditions in the container 10, such as temperature, any outgassing as a result of, for example, fruit spoilage, and humidity. Data logging and communication means allow the contents and status of individual containers 10 to be monitored. Furthermore, knowing information about a particular container 10 in a stack 12 in the system allows monitoring the status of the storage system as a whole. It will be appreciated that the type and method of communication need not be limited to WiFi®. Any suitable form or method of communication protocol may be used.

Individual containers 110 in stack 12 may further comprise heating and/or cooling means and temperature monitoring means for monitoring the temperature in containers 10 . The heating means may comprise a flow of thermal fluid, for example via direct means, such as hot air, or indirect means, such as radiator means, or alternatively electric heaters or electromagnetic induction. A heater may also be provided.

The cooling means may comprise a Peltier cooler, or alternatively, via direct means, such as cold air, or indirect means, such as radiator means, including an ice slurry compressor drive. There may be a flow of cold fluid through.

In this manner, the temperature of individual containers 110 may be controlled and varied depending on the contents of individual containers 110 . If the contents of the container are cooled, the individual container may be cooled to 5°C rather than requiring a portion of the stack 12 in the storage system to be maintained at a predetermined temperature by a space heater or cooler. can have a temperature maintained at It will be appreciated that these are examples only and that any suitable form of heater or cooler may be used to achieve the desired effect.

It may be preferable to blow air across the containers 10 in the stack 12 of the plant growing system. This can be accomplished by using either a fan or other airflow means to generate airflow throughout the system.

Growing system grid uprights 16 may alternatively be used for any of the services referred to herein or for continued transmission to container 10 by wire, cable or pipe or any other suitable means. It will be appreciated that any service can be passed through.

UK Patent Applications Nos. GB1606678.9, GB1606684.7 and GB1606679.7, detailed systems and methods for routing services through containers 10 and framework structures 14 are incorporated herein by reference. .

Given the highly automated and controlled nature of the system, a great many uses are envisioned. Some of these are described below and should not be considered limiting.

The system may be used, for example, in the development of new cultivars of plants, or if optimal growing conditions for a given cultivar have been established, use of the system requires continuous monitoring and All the conditions within will require separate parameters to be checked and contents to be checked periodically. The amount of water, nutrients and light will need to be closely monitored and changed accordingly. This would require removing, inspecting, and replacing many containers on a regular basis. Advantageously, this can be accomplished with the present system as the process of detecting, monitoring and removing containers 10 from the system is highly automated.

If the system is to be used for mass production of a given plant or crop, the costs of production should be minimized and therefore the parameters required for optimal growth have been previously established. right. Thus, the lighting, water, nutrients and temperature required for each plant or crop type would be fixed at the beginning of the growth cycle. The containers are removed from the storage system only every 3 to 10 days to re-space the seed and are finally harvested and the container 10 is reseeded.

Advantageously, both types of use can be accommodated within a single storage system. A portion of the container 10 may contain crops for mass production and a portion of the container may contain products under development or new varieties being monitored for which optimal growth protocols have been established. there is

It will be appreciated that portions of the system may be delimited by any suitable delimiter.

It will be appreciated that in the examples described herein, not all containers 110 have all the services described. Additionally, some containers, especially when used for mass production, may not require any service other than adequate levels of light, water, and nutrients. Conversely, for containers 110 used in research and development or testing, more sensing and monitoring means may be required at each container.

In the case of research and development containers, at regular intervals, containers 10 are removed from stack 12 by load handling equipment 30 and brought to an inspection port within the system. Plant condition is checked and nutrients or water is added to the container as needed. If the plants in the container still need time to reach maturity, container 10 is returned to stack 12 . When the crops have grown sufficiently and the crops are ripe, the plants or crops are removed, the container 10 is washed, replanted, and then returned to the stack 12 .

In the case of mass production, the associated container 10 may not be removed for inspection, but only when the crop is expected to reach maturity.

Sensor means provided within the container 10 monitor the condition of the plants growing therein. Although a schedule of maintenance of plants in container 10 may be used, it will be appreciated that sensors can trigger containers 10 to be removed from stack 12 outside of a maintenance schedule. For example, if the container 10 contains growing mushrooms, but the mushrooms are overripe, the sensor may detect gases associated with ripening of the food, and the container 10 is subject to inspection. Therefore, it may be retrieved outside of the maintenance schedule.

Some greenhouses operate with air having elevated levels of CO2. In these circumstances, it will be appreciated that suitable gas sensing means can adequately monitor and control CO2 levels.

It will be appreciated that many crops can be grown in such mechanized greenhouses. These include, but are not limited to mushrooms, peppers, herbs, lettuce. In places where energy is abundant but water is scarce, systems of this type can also be used to grow crops and other organisms. Although the embodiments described herein refer primarily to plant growth for either mass production or research and development, it should be understood that any living organism, plant, animal or fungus can be grown in such storage systems. deaf. For example, the storage system can be used for growing fish, chicken, oysters, and lobster. Additionally, the system can be used for GM testing, pharmaceutical testing, wine storage requiring specific aging conditions, or cheese requiring careful temperature and humidity control.

The ability to grow multiple crops at a single location is an advantage of this system for growing crops, as different containers 10 may contain different crops. Further, since disease, blight, mold, or other plant-related problems are confined to individual containers 10, growing plants in containers 10 reduces the spread of disease through overharvest. To avoid. It should be possible to limit intrusion from the outside environment through filters in the system warehouse, but any of this violation can be contained in individual containers so that "plant-related problems" are minimized. .

It will be appreciated that the growing system comprises a number of containers 10 arranged in stacks 12 . In one embodiment of the invention, a storage system comprises different categories of containers 10 distributed within the system. For example, an empty container 10, a container 10 growing plants, a container 10 containing goods to be stored, a container 10 containing services such as power or communication means, a container 10 with heating means, a container 10 with cooling means, There may be containers 10 with items that require liquids and/or light.

It will be appreciated that some containers 10 may contain one or more of the services or devices mentioned above. For example, the container 10 with the reservoir 54 may also be provided with lighting means 60 .

The illumination means 60 may take the form of LED lights or fluorescent tubes or any other suitable form of illumination.

The provision of data logging and condition monitoring means at the containers 10 within the stack 12 makes it possible to generate a map of the state and topography of the system that would not otherwise be possible without picking up and inspecting a particular container 10. to

Further, servicing specific individual containers 10, either through uprights 16 or through container-to-container contact, can be redistributed to partition the system and accommodate different requirements. To allow items with different requirements to be stored in the same storage system without having to divide the items into different sections of the grid.

In addition, the connections between containers 10 and the communication between containers 10 and stacks 12 may aid in potential disaster recovery, e.g., in the event of a power outage, of a real-time storage system. will generate a knowledge base. The alternative would be to empty all containers and rebuild the stack, which would be inefficient and costly.

It will be appreciated that all containers 10 may be removed from stack 12 by load handling equipment 30 . No container 10 is fixed in one position and all containers can be opened and closed between them. Further, containers 10 requiring service through uprights 16 are never secured to uprights 16 . Any suitable gating connection may be used.

Further, it will be appreciated that individual containers may be provided with one service, a selection of services, or all the services described. Additionally, the listed services should not be viewed as limiting. Any form of service that can be carried or transmitted to the container 10 can be envisaged.

In one embodiment of the invention, container 110, provided by way of example only, comprises a tray in which plants are grown. The tray is approximately 1000 x 1400 mm. The tray has a sufficiently tall frame to allow the plant to grow to its natural harvesting height. In certain embodiments, the trays are stacked 20m or more. Each tray can be powered from lights attached to the top frame of the tray, from the base of the tray above, as shown in exemplary forms only in Figures 6a to 6c above, or from lights in the grid illuminated from either from All processing (planting, harvesting, pruning, spraying and potentially watering) is done at specialized workstations with good ergonomics and potential robotic or other automation.

It will be appreciated that multiple different illumination arrays may be used. For example, different arrays may be used during the early part of plant development than at the end of plant growth. In the starting phase, it would be preferable to focus all the light on the plants and reduce the waste of lighting the surrounding soil. Separate arrays may be used, or a portion of the lights may be turned off. The lighting means 60 may therefore be movable with respect to the crops growing in the container 10 . For example, the level of the lighting means 60 may be raised and lowered relative to the height of the crop in the container 110 if the crop height is increased. Additionally, the growing container 110 may be provided with spacer collars that can increase the growing volume of the growing container 110 . The cap or lid 120 may be suitably formed to cooperate with such spacer collars, or vice versa, with the illumination means separated from the spacer collars if required. can be replaced on the growth container 110 . It will be appreciated that the spacer collars may be stacked on the growing container 110 or vice versa, and the cap or lid 120 may conform to the container 110 or the spacer collar.

Multiple wavelengths of light may be used at any one time, or separate wavelengths may be used in a predetermined sequence. In both of the above examples, the lighting means 60 may comprise a plurality of individual light sources in an array or may comprise lighting means that are interchangeable between uses.

In a further embodiment, plants may be grown upside down and lit from below. Advantageously, this reduces the energy consumed by plants to move water and nutrients against gravity and may cause some species to grow faster.

Many variations and modifications not explicitly described above are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
The following items are added to the original claims of the present application.
[1] A growing system comprising:
a first set of substantially parallel rails or tracks and extending transversely to said first set in a substantially horizontal plane to form a grid pattern comprising a plurality of grid spaces; a second set of parallel rails or tracks;
a plurality of storage containers 110 configured in a stack 12 positioned below the lattice space and within a series of uprights forming the framework 14;
at least one load handling device 30 disposed on the track and configured to move laterally on the stack 12;
the or each load handling device 30 comprises a lifting device configured to lift at least one container 110, or a portion thereof, from the stack 12;
Said system comprises a series of illumination means 60,
The illuminating means illuminates from a first position adjacent to the container 110 in the stack 12 to a second light above the container 110 such that the light emitted by the illuminating means is evenly distributed over the growth volume of the container 110 . A system that is positionable in two positions.
[2] The system of [1], wherein the lighting means 60 is moved from the first position to the second position by a mechanism positioned on the uprights of the framework.
[3] The system of [2], wherein the mechanism 115 comprises engagement means positioned on the uprights, the engagement means engaging the lighting means.
[4] The illuminating means of [3], wherein said lighting means comprises panel means positioned on ribbon means, said ribbon means engaging said engagement means positioned on said uprights. system.
[5] The mechanism of [2] to [4], wherein the mechanism comprises a worm gear mechanism, the worm gear mechanism comprising a threaded rod positioned on the upright, and the engaging means comprising a gear. A system according to any one of the preceding claims.
[6] A growing system comprising:
a first set of substantially parallel rails or tracks and extending transversely to said first set in a substantially horizontal plane to form a grid pattern comprising a plurality of grid spaces; a second set of parallel rails or tracks;
a plurality of storage containers 110 configured in a stack 12 positioned below the lattice space and within a series of uprights forming the framework 14;
at least one load handling device 30 disposed on the track and configured to move laterally on the stack 12;
the or each load handling device 30 comprises a lifting device configured to lift at least one container 110, or a portion thereof, from the stack 12;
Each container comprises a plastic portion 120, said plastic portion 120 being a translucent material for passing light incident thereon into said growing volume in said container 110 with uniform distribution across said container 110. A system comprising:
[7] The system further comprises illumination means 60, said illumination means 60 being positioned adjacent said plastic portion of each container 110, the light emitted by said illumination means 60 being directed to said plastic portion of said container 110; The system of [6], wherein the emitted light that is incident on a plastic portion 120 is dispersed through the plastic portion and passed towards a growth volume 122 of the container 120.
[8] The system of [6] or [7], wherein the plastic portion further comprises a mirror portion that functions to reflect light incident on the mirror toward the growth volume 122 of the container 110 .
[9] The system of any one of [6]-[8], wherein the plastic portion comprises a lid portion of the container 110.
[10] The system of any one of [6]-[8], wherein the plastic portion comprises a base portion of the container 110.
[11] The illuminating means 60 of any of [1] to [10], wherein the lighting means 60 comprises light emitting means for emitting light of a wavelength or a range of wavelengths suitable for cultivation, control or maintenance of living organisms. A system according to any one of the preceding clauses.
[12] The system of any one of [1] to [11], wherein the organism comprises growing crops or organisms under research or development.
[13] The system of any one of [1]-[12], wherein a portion of the container 110 comprises growing crops.
[14] The system of any one of [1]-[13], wherein a portion of the container comprises an organism under research or development.
[15] The system of any one of [1] to [14], wherein some or all of the containers comprise power supply means 42.
[16] The system of any one of [1] to [15], wherein some or all of the containers comprise power control means 43.
[17] Any one of [1] to [16], wherein some or all of the containers comprise sensor means and data logging means 44 for monitoring the output of the sensor means. system.
[18] Any one of [1] to [17], wherein some or all of said containers 10 comprise communication means 46 for communicating with neighboring containers 10 or with a central communication manager. system.
[19] The system of any one of [1] to [18], wherein some or all of said containers 10 comprise heating means 47 for heating the contents of said containers 10. .
[20] The system of any one of [1] to [19], wherein some or all of said containers 10 comprise cooling means 48 for cooling the contents of said containers 10. .
[21] Any of [1] to [20], wherein some or all of said containers 10 comprise a reservoir 54, said reservoir 54 acting as a fluid stream in said container 10; 2. The system according to item 1.
[22] of [1] to [21], wherein some or all of said containers comprise lighting means 60, and the length of time said lighting means are operable is controllable and variable; A system according to any one of the preceding claims.
[23] A method of growing an organism in the growth system of any one of [1] to [22], comprising:
a. providing means for growing within storage container 110;
b. positioning the container 110 within a storage system;
c. providing the needed light, water and nourishment;
d. moving said container 110 using at least one robotic load handling device 30 operable on a grid system above said container 110;
The method, wherein said light is provided via lighting means positionable from a first position adjacent to a side of said container 110 to a second position above said container 110 .
[24] a. providing sensor means and data logging 44 and storage means within the storage container 10;
b. providing communication means 44 for communicating logged data to a central data logging device;
c. monitoring the data received;
d. and removing the container 10 during the growth cycle of the organisms within the container 10 to provide water and nutrients as needed.
[25] e. providing means for controlling temperature within the container;
f. and providing means for monitoring temperature within said container.
[26] further comprising the step of providing lighting means 60 within each container 10, said lighting means 60 emitting light of a predetermined wavelength suitable for plants growing in said container 10; , [23] to [25].
[27] further comprising varying the length of time that the lighting means 60 are operable to simulate the appropriate daylight hours for the plants in the container 10, [23] to [26] ] The method of growing the plant according to any one of the above.

Claims (24)

a breeding system,
a first set of substantially parallel rails or tracks and extending transversely to said first set in a substantially horizontal plane to form a grid pattern comprising a plurality of grid spaces; a second set of parallel rails or tracks;
a plurality of containers 110 arranged in a stack 12 positioned below the lattice space and in a series of uprights forming the framework 14;
at least one load handling device 30 disposed on the track and configured to move laterally on the stack 12;
the or each load handling device 30 comprises a lifting device configured to lift at least one container 110, or a portion thereof, from the stack 12;
Said system comprises a series of illumination means 60,
The lighting means are positioned at a first position adjacent to the container 110 in the stack 12 and at a second position above the container 110 such that the light emitted by the lighting means is evenly distributed over the growth volume of the container 110 . positionable in two positions,
Each of the series of uprights forming said framework 14 is associated with a second guide portion 114 of said container 110 to guide said lighting means between said first position and said second position. A system comprising a first guide 114' extending substantially parallel to said aligned uprights . 2. The system of claim 1, wherein each container 110 comprises said second guide. The two guides 114, 114 for guiding the lighting means between the first position and the second position when the container 110 is positioned in a given stack 12 of the framework 14. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first guide 114' and the second guide 114 are positioned such that ' are aligned . 4. According to claim 2 or 3, wherein said first guide portion 114' and said second guide portion 114 are joined by a guide radius portion formed or mounted on said first guide portion 114. System as described. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said lighting means (60) is movable between said first position and said second position by a mechanism positioned on said uprights of said framework. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein said mechanism 115 comprises engagement means positioned on said uprights for engaging said lighting means. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein said lighting means comprises panel means (113) positioned within said guide (114). 8. A system according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein the mechanism comprises a worm gear mechanism, the worm gear mechanism comprising a threaded rod positioned on the upright and the engaging means comprising a gear. The engagement means are adapted to move the panel means 113 from the first position within the guide 114 to the second position within the container 110, substantially parallel to the uprights. 9. A system according to claim 8, movable via a mechanism, said panel means (113) being substantially perpendicular to said uprights of said framework (14). 10. The apparatus of claims 5 to 9, wherein said mechanism 115 is operable in response to a signal received from a given load handling device 30 positioning itself on a given stack 12 of containers 110. A system according to any one of the preceding claims. 10. Any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein said mechanism 115 is drivable by said load handling device 30 via positioning and drive means 118 positioned on top of said uprights. The system described in . 12. The system of any one of claims 5-11, wherein the mechanism 115 is operable under remote control from a control center. 7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting means comprise a single lighting means on a flexible plate type structure. 14. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the illumination means (60) is inoperable when in the first position. 14. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lighting means 60 is operable when said first position. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein each container 110 comprises a plastic portion 120 comprising a translucent material for passing light incident thereon into the growing volume of said container 110. The lighting means 60 is positioned adjacent to the plastic part of each container 110 such that the light emitted by the lighting means 60 is incident on the plastic part 120 of the container 110 and the emitted light 17. The system of claim 16 , wherein is dispersed through said plastic portion and passed toward a growing volume 122 of said container 120. 18. The system of claim 16 or 17 , wherein the plastic portion further comprises a mirror portion that functions to reflect light incident on the mirror towards the growth volume 122 of the container 110. 19. The system of any one of claims 16-18 , wherein the plastic part constitutes a lid part of the container (110). 20. The system according to any one of claims 16-19 , wherein the plastic part constitutes the base part of the container (110). 21. Any one of claims 1 to 20 , wherein the lighting means 60 comprise light emitting means for emitting light of a wavelength or range of wavelengths suitable for cultivation, control or maintenance of living organisms. The system described in . 22. A method of growing an organism in a growth system according to any one of claims 1 to 21 , said method comprising:
a. providing means for growing within storage container 110;
b. positioning the container 110 within a storage system;
c. providing the needed light, water and nourishment, and
The method, wherein said light is provided via lighting means positionable from a first position adjacent to a side of said container 110 to a second position above said container 110 . d. providing sensor means and data logging 44 and storage means within said storage container 10;
e. providing communication means 44 for communicating logged data to a central data logging device;
f. monitoring the data received;
g. 23. The method of claim 22 , further comprising the step of removing the container 10 during the growth cycle of the organisms within the container 10 to provide water and nutrients as needed. h. moving said container 110 using at least one robotic load handling device 30 operable on a grid system above said container 110. how to grow

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